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Harpsichord

Manufacturer Pleyel et Cie
1928
Not on view
The French piano building firm of Pleyel turned its attention to the creation of harpsichords in the 1920s. Unlike other makers, such as Chickering with its Dolmetsch designs, rather than focusing on recreating or copying historic instruments, Pleyel imagined more modern instruments that incorporated elements of late piano development such as an iron frame. The famed harpsichordist Wanda Landowska commissioned such instruments from the Pleyel firm and through her notoriety, composers such as Francis Poulenc and Manuel de Falla wrote pieces for it.

This example is a "model reduit" and was shipped from the Pleyel factory on December 23, 1928. It belonged to Frank LaForge of Rockford, Illinois for many years. LaForge was a composer, voice teacher, and accompanist, and used this harpsichord in concerts with Lily Pons in New York City.


Technical description: Satinwood case with tulipwood striping, interior veneered with mahogany, on 4 tapered legs; 2 manuals, AA-f3, ivory naturals with bone fronts, ebony accidentals; 6 pedals operating (left to right) 4', lower 8', buff, coupler, upper 8' lute, upper 8'; overhead dampers, twin-pin tuning mechanism, full cast iron plate, leather plectra; rosette with P Cie monogram, folding music rack; with matching bench with floral needlepoint cushion.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Harpsichord
  • Manufacturer: Pleyel et Cie
  • Date: 1928
  • Geography: Paris, France
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Wood, various materials
  • Dimensions: L. 187cm
    W. 102 cm; (102.1 cm across lid)
    D. without lid 31.6 cm
    H. 96 cm

    Bench: 63.7 x 43.6 x 49 cm high
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-harpsichord
  • Credit Line: Gift of Laura La Forge Webb, in memory of Frank La Forge, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.523.1, .2
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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